Jülich Systems Analysis Seminar: Renewable Energy Cost Trajectories and Industrial Decarbonisation

As part of the Jülich Systems Analysis Seminar Series, the institute last week welcomed Hadi Vatankhah Ghadim from the Sustainable Energy Research Group (SERG) at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, for an online seminar on renewable energy cost trajectories and energy system transformation.

In his presentation, “Cheaper, Faster, Everywhere – Evidence on Renewable Energy Cost Trajectories”, the speaker explored how techno-economic analysis and energy system modelling can support pathways towards deep industrial decarbonisation.

The seminar examined global cost projections for renewable energy technologies, including the assumptions and uncertainties underlying future energy scenarios. The presentation also provided insights into energy system modelling efforts in New Zealand and highlighted key challenges associated with long-term transition planning.

A further focus of the seminar was the modelling of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) supply chains for New Zealand, illustrating the scale of renewable electricity generation, infrastructure expansion, and supply chain development required to decarbonise aviation.

The presentation was followed by an engaging discussion on modelling assumptions, infrastructure requirements, and the broader challenges of long-term energy system transformation.

The Jülich Systems Analysis Seminar Series aims to foster interdisciplinary exchange on current questions in energy and systems research while bringing together international perspectives from academia and practice.